A lot of changes hit the Marine Corps’ annual physical fitness test this year: a sliding point scale based on age; pull-ups for female Marines; a rowing option for those over 46; swap push-ups for pull-ups; and the chance to take the test more than once. Task & Purpose reached out to some of the devil dogs who recently took the PFT to find out how the changes are impacting their performances.

It might be tempting for some of the military’s top brass to get weighed down by all that bling on their collars, or slack off in the comfort of their plush chairs at the Pentagon. But not Marines like the 61-year-old Gen. Joseph Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who, in addition to maintaining his reputation as a PT stud, could probably kick your ass.

The Marine Corps announced big changes to its physical fitness standards in a July 1, 2016 administrative message. The message, signed by Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Robert Neller, unveiled the elimination of the flexed arm hang as the upper body strength test for female Marines in the annual physical fitness test. All Marines and recruits, male and female, will be subjected to a new test that will involve a "hybrid" of pull-ups and push ups, the announcement revealed.